Multiple-contact rotatable snap switch



May 18, 1954 H. F. MASON 2,678,974-

MULTIPLE-conmc'r ROTATABLE SNAP SWITCH Filed lay 22. 1950 mv we Ii-'N 40 4/ By H13' AT1-mensys bkk@ fic/i Hasn-@JMRP/.s

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Patented May 18, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE-CONTACT ROTATABLE SNAP SWITCH 16 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical snap switch and more particularly to a structure capable of individually energizing a plurality of circuits or a determined combination thereof by means of a single actuator.

Heretofore, an individual switch was generally used for each circuit to be energized. Progressive advancement in the art evolved the now conventional types, such as single pole and single throw, double pole and double throw, and combinations thereof. Peculiar in the aircraft industry, such switches are profusely used on the control panels for the pilot, enginer or navigator due to the complex and numerous electrical circuits associated therewith resulting in a maze of control members to be handled by a single individual. The panel position of all such switches must be thoroughly known to the operator, especially the pilot, and failure to readily recognize the location 0r delay in sequential actuation thereof may prove hazardous. It is most desirous to reduce the dangers attendant the human element and, accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a compact, positive acting, multiple-poled electric switch whereby a plurality of electrical circuits may be selectively energized from a single control toggle or knob.

It is another object of this invention to provide an electrical switch to serve a plurality of circuits and generally simplify the associated con- Q trol panel.

Another object is to provide an electrical switch whereby the operator may maintain his hand on the actuator thereof and individually energize one or a plurality of circuits or a combination thereof.

Another object is to provide a switch with a positive action whereby contact may be physically perceived to apprise the operator of completion 0f a circuit.

Another object is to provide a switch of the above character that is relatively small in comparison to the current carrying capacity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch with means to forceably separate the contacts in the event they have become fused together.

This invention also has for its object to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawing merely shows and the description merely describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a side elevationalview, partially sectional, of the switch structure embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top View of the switch structure taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional detailed View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the switch in the normal inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional View similar to Fig. 3, but showing the switch in one operative position;

Fig. 5 is a top View of the switch as shown in Fig. l, and shows the control toggle in several phantom positions; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are schematically representative of several of the positions that the switch contacts may assume during actuation.

Referring now to the drawing and with particular reference to Fig. l, the switch structure is mounted on a base l and is disposed within the connes of a case ll, the structure being secured therein by a spun portion of the case about the periphery of the base le, generally indicated by the numeral l2. A control knob or toggle I3 extends from a ball I4, the ball being provided' with a swivel union centermost of the top of the case I l by means of ared case portions l5. A stem I6 in axial alignment with the toggle i3 and rigidly fixed to the ball i4 depends from the opposite side of the ball and into operative engagement with the switch, as will hereinafter be described.

The main operative components of the switch include a stationary contact member I8 and a movable contact member I9 or a plurality thereof. For purposes of description only, and not a limitation thereof, the drawing is exemplary of a switch for use with four circuits individually or in combination, utilizing one statonary member and four movable members I9. For purposes of expediency, these members may conveniently be referred to as I9, i90., l9b and |90 each being identical in structure. However, it is expressly within the scope of this invention that any plurality of movable members I9 may be used. The stationary member i3 extends vertically from the base I0 and is rigidly mounted thereto by any suitable means and is provided with a wire terminus at the lower end for the voltage supply or circuit to be energized, being appropriately threaded to receive a screw 2i, as seen in Fig. 5, for clamping engagement with a wir-e. A combination mounting bracket and wire terminus Z2 is provided for each of the four movable contact members I9 which are symmetrically disposed about the stationary member It, each of the brackets being mounted to the base It and provided with a screw 23 for clamping engagement with a wire of the other side of the circuits.

Each movable member IS, forexample, member I'ib, as seen in Fig. l, is provided with bothk a plate 2d and a resilient strip metal leaf 25, each oi. which is attached at its inner end to a cylindrical bearing 2t by any appropriate means such as silver solder. The bearing 26 is pivotally joined to the shaped portion of the bracket 22 by means of an eyelet 2l which is spun over at its extremities to retain the bearing intermediate the U-shaped portion. Rigidly attached to the outer end of the leaf 25 is a contact button til. an actuator 3i or hardened strip metal is pivotally attached and abutted to the plate 24 intermediate the ends thereof by means of an cyeliet 32, the opposite end of the actuator having an offset extension 28 tor engagement with. an actuator disc 33. The eyelet 32 is adapted to slidably receive the reduced diameter annular stem 3Q of a detent pin S5, the large diameter portion thereof which extends from abutment with the said eyelet through an aperture 3d in the leaf 25 and into operative engagement with a spring detent 3l" carried by the stationary contact member I8. The detent is preferably fabricated from a highly resilient strip of material such as heat-treated beryllium copper and designed to flexibly yield under applied force.

Thus each movable contact member I9 in its entirety is pivotal at one end thereof about the eyelet 2l, and the component actuator 3l is transversely pivotal thereto about the eyeiet 32. Each actuator is thereby accorded a limited universal movement with respect to its bracket 22.

The stationary contact member I 8 is rigid with respect to the base Iii and, as best shown in Figs. 3 and ll, extends perpendicular thereto to a point below the actuator disc .t3 and comprises a length of metal tubing 40, or other suitable structure, that is `conductively journaled at one end to the screw 2l. The other end of said tube iii is adapted to mount four contacts 4l each of which is in a parallel plane and juxtaposed opposite to a matching one of the contacts 3B of the movable contact members i il. Thus the tube serves as a conductor to render common the contacts fl! attached thereto. However, it is contemplated that the tube 4t may be made of a suitable insulation material with the contacts fil connected by individual conductors or strips along said tube all and thence to individual terminals. In such manner, the switch may serve to eii'ect continuity of a plurality of individual circuits.

Arranged below each of the contacts 4I and in a plane parallel thereto, is one of the spring detente 3l, each of which is freely mounted within the confines of a retainer bracket 42. The spring detent 3l is concave toward and in norlmal surface abutment with the detent pin 35, the function of which will be hereinafter described.

Referring to Fiss. 2 and 3, the actuator disc 33 is formed of an insulating material such as phenolic molding and is provided with slots 44 which receive therethrough the oifset extensions 2t of each of the actuators 3|. The disc 33 rests upon shoulders |15 provided by the bends in the actuators 3l and is secured at the top surface by cotter pins 46, each of which passes through a port in the extensions 28.

The disc 33 has a hcmispherical cavity 41 in the center and receives a ball 5D which is retained therein, but freely movable, by a retainer disc 5I suitably secured to the disc 33. The ball is axially bored therethrough to slidably receive the pin I6 that depends from the ball I4.

The function of the switch is as follows: The toggle I3 that extends from the case II is manipulated by the operator. In the drawing, four movable Contact members are utilized, as merely illustrative, and thereby provide a means to energize four circuits connected thereto. In the normal position, the four actuators 3l are substantially symmetrically disposed about the stationary contact member i8 and made integrally operative by the disc 33 as best seen in Fig. 2. Displacement of the toggle I3 to the left as shown by the toggle phantom I3a of Figs. l and 5 will transmit an. opposite force to the actuator disc 33 through the medium of the stem I6 and the ball to translate the disc to the position shown in Fig. Il. The actuators 3i being secured tothe disc 33 are displaced therewith to cause the two opposite movable contact members I9 and I9?) to pivot about their eyelets 27 and cause directive movement oi' the leafs 25 and contacts 30. The other movable contact members lea and are inoperative, the movement of their actuators being accommodated by 'the pivot provided by their eyelets 32. Circuit completion is effected through the engagement of the contact 39 or the movable member I3 with the mating contact 4I of the stationary member I 8. The opposite movable member Illb is caused to move away from the stationary member i8. Fig. 6 is a plan representation of the relative positions of the contacts under displacement as shown in Fig. 4, wherein the position of all of the contacts 30 of the movable members I9, Ilia, Ib and ille with respect to the stationary member I8 is more clearly shown. The contacts 30 of the members lila and I9@ remain in a fixed space relation to the member i 8 during the above-described toggle displacement, however, their associated actuators 3| are caused to angularly displace from the normal position about the pivots provided by the eyelets 32.

Upon engagement of the contacts 3g and 4i, the resilient leaf 25 will yield along its length, and as the 'toggle i3 is further displaced the engaging contacts will move or slide with respect to each other, thus tending' to maintain the contacts clean and bright to assure completion of the electrical circuit. The flexibility of the leaf Ztl, however, is limited in design to provide a means for the operator to forceably separate the contacts in the event they tend to become fused together due to an external short circuit. By reverse movement of the toggle I3, the opening force at the contacts is suflioient for separation thereof.

The electrical path through the switch for the displacement shown in Fig. 4 may be readily traced by reference to Fig. l. A voltage applied to the stationary contact member It at the point of attachment of the screw 2I provides a potential in the rnembei` that is carried to the con.-

tact 4|. Engagement of the contact 30 'of the movable member IB with the mating contact 4I conducts the potential through the contacts and to and through the leaf 25 to the bearing 26. Surface contact between the bearing 23, the eyelet 21 and the bracket 22 conducts the potential to the wire terminus and screw 23 wherein is attached a wire for connection to the circuit to be energized. A i

`Displacement of the movable contact IS toward the stationary member I8 urges firm abutment of the detent pin 35 with the spring detent 31. A preferred embodiment of such a detent is characterized by a positive action wherein the force applied by the pin 35 progressively increases until the detent 31 snaps or flexes through and thereby permits the manual urging force tobe applied rapidly to the contacts, resulting in aA quick, positive engagement thereof to minimize arcing between the contact surfaces. The detent 31, retaining internal stress under compression, is designed to maintain suflicient reactive force when flexed to cause the moving components to return to the normal position when the toggle I3 is released.

Due to the similarity of structure of the movable contact members I9, ISa, I9b and I9c it can be readily seen that by appropriate displacement of the toggle any of the contacts 3G may be so moved to engage with their mating contact 4I and thereby complete the circuit associated with the corresponding movable member.

The reactive force provided by each detent 31 when under stress is at all times substantially axial to its associated detent pin 35. When the switch is in the inoperative position the four detents serve to locate the movable members I9, I9a, 19h and I9c symmetrically about the stationary member I8. irrespective of displacement of the toggle toward any of the members I9, the pins 35 remain in approximate alignment with the detents 31. For example, displacement of the toggle to a position indicated by i3d as seen in Fig. l, causes the pin 35 of movable member I9 to engage and flex the corresponding detent 31. The disc 33 also moves; however during such movement'the pins 35 of movable members 19a, and ISb remain in fixedV spaced relationship. Release of the toggle permits the flexedv detent to urge the components displaced to return to the normal inoperative position.

Thus, there is provided a switch structure havinga single toggle wherein the operator may, at pleasure, select any one of the plurality of circuits to be energized with the added characteristic of the movable switch component returning to normal when the toggle is released. The switch also permits two circuits to be simultaneously energized by means of the single toggle i3 and still retain the advantage of self centering. Referring to Figs. l and 5, the toggle I3 may be displaced at an angle approximately 45 from the normal ordinates to the position indicated at I3b and thus place the stationary contact member I8 in conductive relationship with both of the movable contact members I9a and |922. As hereinbefore indicated each actuator is accorded a limited universal motion. However, only the lateral movement thereof is effective to displace itsassociated leaf 25 and any transverse movement is accommodated by its eyelet 32. Therefore the contacts 30 of the members IBa and ISb Will move under the influence of the above mentioned displacement into direct engagement with their corresponding contacts 4I. Fig. '1 is a simplified representation of the contact positions under such circumstances. Especially noteworthy is the physical position of the contacts in that engagement is made similar to that of the single contact shown in Fig. 6. Contact alignment is unchanged regardless of whether a single circuit is energized or a pair of adjacent circuits is energized. Such alignment is important in many switch installations to prevent arcing and fusing of the peripheral portions of such contacts. The spring return characteristics are still maintained for the detent pins 35 abut and urge the detents 31 in the same manner as for a single circuit.

f The switch as illustrated and described has eight operative positions of the toggle, four positions for each individual movable contact member and four intermediate positions to supply two adjacent movable contact members. Hence, by a single control knob any one or an adjacent pair of circuits may be energized. Further, if the stationary contact member I8 is supplied with a voltage source, by a simple rotary motion of the toggle through all of the contacting positions, all of the associated circuits may be supplied with impulse voltage without the necessity of returning the toggle to the normal center position.

The switch as herein described is illustrative of four movable contact members I9 associated with the stationary contact member I8. It is contemplated, however, that the number of movable members used may be two or more and suitably disposed about the member I8 and function substantially as described herein.

While the invention that has been illustrated and described is now regarded as the preferred embodiment, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, not desired to restrict the invention to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a multi-pole electric switch, the combination of stationary means providing a plurality of rst contacts; a correlative plurality of movable members each having a second con-v tact and including an actuator; a support for said stationary means and movable members to dispose said rst and second contacts in paired juxtaposition; means adapted to permit displacement of said movable members toward said stationary means; means adapted to permit displacement of said actuators relative to said movable members but transversely to said stationary means; and means provided for interrelation of said actuators for unitary movement thereof to selectively register any pair of said juxtaposed rst and second contacts in conductive relation, said means also being operable to selectively register any adjacent pairs of juxtaposed rst and second contacts in conductive relationship.

2. In a multiple-pole electric switch, the combination of: stationary means providing a plurality of first contacts; a correlative plurality of movable members each having a second contact and including an actuator; a support for said stationary means and movable members to dispose said rst and second contacts in paired juxtaposition; means adapted to permit displacement of said movable members toward said stationary Y m'eansg; means adapted to permit displacement of said actuators relative to said` movable membersV but, transversely to` said stationary means; means provided intermediate said stationary means and each of said movable members to yieldably retain said rst and second contactsv in; normal position; and means provided for intel-relation of said actuators for unitary move,- ment thereof to selectively register any pair ofy saidjuxtaposed rst and second contacts in con.- ductive relation, said means also-being operable toselectively register and adjacent pairs of juxtaposed first and second contacts. inconductive relationship.

3. Ina multiple-pole electric switch',A the combination of: stationary means providing a plurality' of nrst contacts; a correlative plurality of movable members each having a second contact and each including an actuator arm pivotally attachedifor transversemovement relative to said` contact; ay support for rigid attachment of said stationary member thereto and for pivotal attachment of said movable members theretoy so as to juxtapose in pairs and permit displacement of, said second contacts with respect to said first contacts; spring means intermediate each said movablemember and said stationary means to yieldably retain the said contacts in normal position; and control means provided to join said actuator arms for unitary movement thereof against restraint of` one oi said spring means to selectively register any pair of said juxtaposed nrst and secondcontacts in conductive relation against restraint of one of said spring means, said control means also being operable to selectively register any adjacentpairs of said juxtaposed first. andY second contacts in conductive relation against restraint of a plurality of said spring` means.

4. In a multiplepole electric switch, the combination' of: a stationary member having a contact portion; a plurality oi movable members each having a contact button and each including an actuator arm pivotally attached for obliquetransverse movement relative to said stationary member; means providing a support for rigidl attach- 4 ment of said stationary member thereto andA forY pivotal attachment thereto of said movable members symmetrically about said stationary member so as to permit lateral movement of said contact buttons toward said contact portion; and means providing for interrelation of actuator arms for unitary movement thereof to permit random; displacement of said arms, contact buttons coacting therewith for random selection of any contact button into conductive relation with said contact portion or any adjacent pair 01"; Contact' buttons into conductive relation with said' con-- tact portion.

5. In a multiple-pole electric switch, the' combination of: a stationary member having a plurality of iirst contacts; a plurality of movable members symmetrically disposed about said stationary member, each of said movable members having a second contact juxtaposed opposite? calchi of said iirst contacts, and including pivotal means for permitting lateral motion of said' secondv contacts relative to said rst contacts; an actuator arm indudable in each movable member and pivotally adapted for transverse motion relative to motion of said movable members; an actuator element adapted to operatively engage each of said` actuator arms to cause integral motion therewith; means provided intermediate said stationary and movable members to yieldably restrain said movable members in normal position; and

meansprovi'ded'to-displace said actuator element to, selectively register any pair of said juxtaposed nrstandsecond contacts in conductive relation.

said means also4 being operable to displace said actuator element to. selectively register any adjacent pairs of said first and second contacts in conductive relation.

6. In an apparatus# according to claim 5, said displacing means including a freely rotatable sphere having an axial bore and adapted to said actuator element; an operating; toggle having an end portion slidably receivable in said bore; and

a support for said toggle in xed space relation,

to saidstatonary member to permit displacement of said toggle, for actuation ofsaid actuator element.;

7. In a multiple-pole electric, switch, the combination of:l a. supportbase; a stationary member rigidly attached'. to said support base providingY a, plurality of' nrst contacts; a plurality of movable members, each having a corresponding leaf` and second contact carried thereby, each of said second. contacts being juxtaposed opposite a` corresponding nrst contact; a corresponding pluf rality of carriers carried by said support base each forV oscillatable attachment thereto of one of said. movablev members toward and away from said` stationary member to render said first and second contacts into and out of conductive engagement; an actuator arm for each of said movablek members oscillatably mounted thereon for transverse movement thereof with respect to said stationary member; an actuator element joining said' actuator arms and capable of substantially planar movement to canse integral movementlof said arms therewith; and a spring detent intermediate each of said; movable members and said stationary member to yieldably retain said actuator elementV in a normal position and for effecting movementof any of` said movable members toward and away from said stationary member withA a snap action, said actuator element being capable of manual displacement to selectively register any pair of juxtaposed nrst and second contacts. in conductive relation, and to selectivelyregister any adjacent pairs ci first and second contacts in conductive relation.

8. In a multiple-pole electric switch, the combination of: a support base of insulating material; a1 stationary member rigidly attached to said' support base. providing a plurality of first` contacts; a plurality of movable members; a plurality of carriers carried by said support base each for one of said movable members and adapted to permit oscillatabl'e movement of said members toward? and away from said stationary member; a. leaf memberr of limited resiliency for each of said. movable members and attached atl one end to its respective movable member, the other endI thereof having a second contact in operative` juxtaposition with a corresponding first contact; an actuator arm for each of said movable,V members oscillatably mounted thereon for transverse movement thereof with respect to thek oscillatable movement of its movable member; an actuator element for integration of said actuator arms and capable of substantially horizontal movement; and a springV detent for each of saidA movable members, mounted upon said stationary memberand co-operating with its respective movable member to yieldably retain said actuator element in a. normal position and to eiect movement of any one of said second contacts towardy and away from its correspondingl rst contact with a snap action, said actuator` freely displaceable operating toggle having a projection which is slidably receivable in said bore; and a support for said toggle in fixed spaced relation to said actuator element, whereby said toggle may be pivotally displaced in any direction to cause substantial horizontal movement of said actuator element.

10. In an electric switch, the combination of: a stationary member providing a contact portion; at least one movable member having a contact surface; a support ior said stationary member and said movable member to dispose said contact portion and said contact surface in operative juxtaposition; carrier means disposed intermediate said movable member and said support adapted to permit displacement of said movable member toward said stationary member; and an actuator for said movable member, being mounted thereto and oscillatably connected for displacement relative thereto but transversely to said stationary member, whereby said actuator may be universally displaced relative to said support and operable to register said contact portion and said contact surface in conductive relationship upon movement toward said stationary member.

11. An electric switch according to claim 10 which includes yieldable means intermediate and cooperating with said stationary member and said movable member, said yieldable means being adapted to flex with a snap action during movement of said movable member toward said stationary member so as to cause said contact surface to engage said contact portion with rapid motion.

12. In an electric switch, the combination of a stationary member providing a contact portion; at least one movable member having a leaf and a contact surface; a support for said stationary member and said movable member to dispose said contact portion and said contact surface in operative juxtaposition; a carrier disposed intermediate said movable member and said support for oscillatable attachment of said movable member toward and away from said stationary member to render said contact surface and contact portion into and out of conductive engagement; and an actuator for said movable member, being mounted thereto and adapted for displacement relative to said leaf but transversely to said stationary member, whereby said actuator may be universally displaced relative to said support and operable to register said contact surface and said contact portion in conductive relationship upon movement toward said stationary member.

13. An electric switch according to claim 12 in which said leaf is made of resilient material and the contact surface is disposed at one end of said leaf, the other end of said leaf being attached to its movable member and adapted for bending movement toward and away from said l0 stationary member, whereby said leaf may yieldably bend upon engagement of said contact surface and said contact portion during progressive movement of said movable member toward said stationary member.

14. An electric switch according to claim 13 which includes yieldable means intermediate and cooperating with said stationary member and said actuator and being adapted to iiex with a snap action during movement of said movable member toward said stationary member so as to cause said contact surface to engage said contact portion with rapid motion; said leaf resiliently bending during said engagement.

15. In electric switch, the combination of: a stationary member providing a contact portion; at least one movable member having a contact surface; a support for said stationary member and said movable member to dispose said contact portion and said contact surface in operative juxtaposition; carrier means disposed intermediate said movable member and said support adapted to permit displacement of said movable member toward said stationary member;

i ,and an actuator for said movable member, being mounted thereto for driving movement of said movable member toward and away from said stationary member, said actuator also being connected for independent displacement relative to said movable member but transversely of said stationary member, whereby said actuator may be universally displaced relative to said support and operable to register said contact portion and said Contact surface in conductive relationship upon movement toward said stationary member.

16. In an electric switch, the combination of: a stationary member providing a contact portion; at least one movable member having a contact surface; a support for said stationary member and said movable member to dispose said contact portion and said contact surface in operative juxtaposition; carrier means disposed intermediate said movable member and said support adapted to permit displacement of said mov- -able member toward said stationary member; an

actuator for said movable member, being mount- Ied thereto and adapted for displacement relative thereto but transversely to said stationary member; and resilient means intermediate and cooperating with said stationary member and said movable member, said resilient means being adapted to yieldably restrain movement of said movable member toward said stationary member, whereby said actuator may be universally displaced relative to said support and operable to register said contact portion and contact surface in conductive relationship upon movement toward said stationary member and against restraint of said resilient means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 297,540 Smith Apr. 22, 1884 2,374,868 Krieger May 1, 1945 2,391,881 Clay Jan. l, 1946 2,589,025 Phelps et al Mar. 11, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 267,674 Great Britain Mar. 24, 1927 

